“The Lord goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31: 8 (NIV)

Our activity director, Benda Leon, and her assistants, Linda Hopkins and Baily Sierra, and with the help of Jeramy Brown and other staff volunteers, took a group of residents fishing Thursday and Friday last week. According to my friends, it was an outstanding and most memorable experience. They were glad to have Marla Darnell with them for her delivery of treats and nursing skills, and she is knowledgeable about fishing and, as we saw when they returned, to wield the fillet knives.

The fishing site was out at Jackson Pond just south of Eads. It is a lovely little place in the slopes of the prairie with a small, fenced platform for fishing, photography, and wedding ceremonies. We citizens are thankful to Colorado Parks and Wildlife and wonderful men like Rod Johnson who had the foresight to have this great recreation and restful place developed for us to enjoy. I remember when Rod Johnson took me out to Jackson Pond so he could see if my wheelchair “worked” there, and what I thought of it. Thank you, ladies (Jan Richards) and gentlemen who have been a part of this wonderful little oasis.

Last week, we had an interesting lady who came to our Monday afternoon coffee hour at the senior center, Celeste Dillon, from Lawton, Oklahoma. She also came to visit us at Weisbrod that evening, and parts of the next three days. Celeste shared her faith with us in our Tuesday Bible study, and at meals and activities. She was favorably impressed with what she learned about our town.

We surely do enjoy getting to visit with Lucy’s grandchildren when they come, and her other relatives, too. Her family of young adults are good to drop by frequently to check on her or bring her a treat.

Eads schools start August 13 this year, a few days later than usual. Kit Carson teachers and students are getting ready for classes to begin soon, as well as Plainview, Wiley, McClave, Lamar, Granada, Holly, Springfield, Kim, Prichett, and Cheyenne Wells. It is an exciting, and sometimes stressful, time of the year for students and parents.

I was so looking forward to the last “Bash Night” of the year in Eads. That was last Friday night, so I will share some observations next week.  

Gwen Coates had a grand birthday party Saturday afternoon when both her daughters, their five children, a cousin who came driving a motorcycle, and her 94-year-old father all sat at a lovely rose-pink cloth that Brenda Leon arranged. After enjoying eating a cake made and decorated with a large horse head (because she used to like to ride in rodeo competitions) with a beverage, the family and some friends enjoyed visiting out in the patio afterwards. Do come by, if you are in Eads, to see our gorgeous pots of vibrant blooming flowers.

We were sad to hear that my late cousin’s, Shirley Pollreis Matthew’s, granddaughter, Lilly Hasker, age 9, died after she collapsed at a volleyball camp in Colorado Springs. She was the daughter of Kelly (Matthews) and Darren Hasker. Kelly was a graduate of Kit Carson. Her aunt is Eunice Weber of Eads. The family didn’t know that the young girl had an enlarged heart.

I so enjoy Ernie Hammer’s stories of his family’s early years on the hilly prairies southeast of Colorado Springs. I quickly tear them out, along with the stories written by his aunt, Liz Hammer, that are also published in the Kiowa County Press. I send the weekly stories on to my sister-in-law, Wanda (Ball) Lessenden, in Haswell. Wanda is a cousin of Ernie Hammer. I so enjoyed knowing Miss Liz, who came to live with the Hammers and in Kit Carson before she died at age 104. We certainly enjoyed having her attend the Lutheran church in Kit Carson.

It is a pleasure to see the neighbors from near Arlington, Haswell, and other places who come in to visit our dear friend, Pamela Johnston. Her husband, Kent, sits by her bedside many hours a day. I see this as quiet love in action.

One of our young C.N.A. nurses is an Lamar Community College student , and one whom we like a lot. We will soon be missing Aspen Hawkins for 11 days while she fulfills her responsibilities as Prowers County Rodeo Queen. Also, she and her four attendants will be riding their horses in several area county parades.

Remember that friends are welcome to attend the Prairie Pines Assisted Living Community’s weekly tea every Tuesday from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the dining room.

We were happy to hear Johnny Leon sing for us last week. If friends of residents want to hear him in August, you may join us at Weisbrod August 15.

We thank Pastor Mark Immel for leading church services for us the fourth Sunday of each month.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Kit Carson will be hosting their traditional ice cream social after a volleyball game soon.

Since school begins soon all around, let’s be careful and supportive of excited students going to school. Let’s pray more for the students all around and their parents.